Waterproof storm-shield.



J. A. GAVIN.

WATERPROOF STORM SHIELD.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 9, 1917.

1,273,765. Patented Jul 23,1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET I. 6

WITNESSES J INVENTOR %q/. J?! Gav/h ATTORNEYS J. A. GAVIN.

WATERPROOF STORM SHIELD. APPLICATION man NOV. 9, 1911.

1 ,273,765. Patented July 23, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- WITNESSES T5 a 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS J. A. GAVIN.

WATERPROOF STORM SHIELD.

APPLlCATlON FILED NOV. 9. 1917.

1 ,27 3,765. Patented July 23, 1918;

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

4/ WITNESSES Far INVENTOH M ATTORNEYS s'r PATENT OFFICE;

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, A Application filed November 9, 1917. Serial No. 201,126.

To all whom z't-may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH A. GAVIN, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of the city of New York, borough of' Brooklyn, in the countyof Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and Im-' provedWaterproof Storm-Shield, of which the following is a full, clear, andexact description.

' This invention relates to emergency shields or protectors to be usedby individuals in the event of rain or snow storms or the like, and hasparticular reference to protecting means of a cheap yet comfortable andreliable nature.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a shield in the natureof a coat, cape, or umbrella, that is made principally of a waterproofmaterial such as paper, but of a nature cheap enough for the shield tobe sold on the market and thus placed within reach of any member of thepublic for a few cents.

Another object of the invention isto provide a storm shield made of amaterial adapting it to be folded into a compact package suitable to bedispensed through coin controlled machines or be carried in ones pocketor shopping bag for repeated use.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a storm shieldmade of paper or some suitable equivalent cheap materialand so folded.that the creasing thereof will serve at least two important functions:First, the facility for the draping of the.device over the head orshoulders, and, secondly, the better shedding of rain than if the shieldwere not creased.

A still further object of this improvement is to provide a device whichthough made chiefly of a cheap quality of material is still reinforcedin such a manner as to afford ample strength for the purpose for whichthe device is intended and also to adapt it for use in any one ofseveral different ways such for example as a covering for the head aswell as the shoulders, and as a shoulder cape.

With the foregoing and other objects in View the invention consists inthe arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described andclaimed, and while the invention is not restricted to the exact detailsof construction disclosed or suggested herein, still for the purpose ofillustrating a practical embodiment thereof reference is had to theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference haracters designate thesame parts in the several views, and in\which Figure 1 is a sideelevation of one adaptation of my improvement. I i

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is an inner'face or plan view of ,the device before it is folded,but indicating indotted lines the'folding lines with referenceespecially .to the adaptation shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view indicating the .manner of folding at thecheek portion of the device.

Fig. 5 is a front elevatiom of the device in the form indicated in Figs.1, 2 and 3 after the folding is completed and ready to wear. I

Fig. dis a front elevation showing that adaptation of the device for useas a shoulder cape.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 8 is an inner face view with the neck portion open to adapt it fora shoulder cape.

Fig. ,9 is a detail view indicating the'nature of the hand piece orholder.

Figs. 10 and 11 are front and side views of another adaptation of theimprovement as i an umbrella.

Fig. 12 is an inner face view of the device Fig. 13 1s a transversesectional detail on Specification Letters 2mm. Patented July 23, 1918 Ia plane corresponding substantially to the line 1?;13 of Fig. 10, andindicating the manner of folding or rolling the front central portion ofthe device to produce a tent effect.

Referring now to the first set of figures I show a shield or garmentmade preferably mainly from a single strip or sheet of paper and ofsubstantially rectangular form as indicated at 15, but having two of thecorners indicated as rounded at 16 so as to improve the fit orappearance of the garment.

I will now describe the manner of folding the sheet of material toproduce the effect or adaptation indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 5.Considering the view in Fig. 3 to be that of a sheet @f paper of acharacter or quality such as what'is commonly known as asphaltum paperor of a paper corresponding to a good quality of manila or kraft withthe outer face coated with asphaltum or some other material having thefunction of not only rendering the paper waterproof, but even of a waterrepellent nature so that when the wearer comes in out of a heavy rain,the shield or garment will be perfectly dr and ready to be folded andput away for en sequent use. With the sheet having its uncoated face orinner side toward the observer the front or up er portion is firstfolded along the line 1 from one end 18 thereof to the other at 19forming an outside flange 20. This flange 20 serves at least twoimportant functions as follows: First, since it doubles the materialalon this edge much strength is added; second y, the inner or clean faceof the sheet is thus turned out and the flange forms a protector of thewearers face, at least to a certain extent, from the coloring matterapplied to the outer waterproofed surface of the material, and, thirdly,this outturned flange 20 serves to act as a gutter to direct the waterflowing over the shoulder portions of the .what the form indicated inFig. 5.

device down toward the ends thereof instead of flowing over what wouldbe the exposed side portions of the garment when in use.

The next step in the folding operation is to turn the entire top orupper portion of the sheet toward the observer along the line 21 whichextends preferably in a straight direction from one end of the sheet tothe other forming what may be termed a panel 22. The next step is tofold the upper right and left corner portions along the diagonal lines23, these folds being made toward the observer so as to bring the deviceinto some- The diagonal folding lines 23 intersect the horizontalfolding line 21 at some distance, say for example an inch and a half, ateach side of the vertical median line 24:, as indicated at 25. The depthof the panel portion 22 may for an ordinary head covering be madeapproximately five inches, the purpose of which is to cover the top ofthe wearers head, while the diagonal ortions are adapted to be drawnmore or ess closely around the wearers face. In order, however, toprovide the required depth of that portion 26 of the panel 22 that maybe regarded as the crown piece and still accommodate the front portions27 for their proper fitting and holding functions, I make another foldwith respect to each wing portion 28, this fold being made preferablyafter the diagonal crease is formed along the line 23 for each wing. Inother words after the crease is formed at 23 the panel 22in its foldedposition along the line 21 is laid back straight again and the thenlower edge of the same, including the flange 20, is then folded up andaround the line 29 to the said line extending from either end 18 or 19over toward the crown piece,

but stopping at its inner section with the crease 23 formedcoincidentally with the forming of the crease at the line 23. Asindicated, however, at 20*, Figs. 4 and 5, that portion of the panel 22that is folded up is extended slightly beyond the waterproofed portionof the structure adjacent to the foldmg lines 21. In other words theflange portion at 20 or 20 serves in the practice of the invention toprevent any possibility of any discoloration from the exterior surfaceof the paper coming into contact while wet with the wearers face orordinary clothing. \Vith this fold made along the line 29 and with thecrown portion still remaining flat as in the position of Fig. 5, the winportion is then as a whole folded forwar ly again around the line 23which automatically forms a double fold or dart 30 which serves severalimportant functions. First, it disposes of the surplus material incidentto the extra fold along the line 29 and the subsequent refold along theline 23; secondly, this dart which may be either projected upwardly ordownwardly constitutes an eight ply reinforcement where any suitablefastener or clip 31 may be attached to make the fold complete and secureand hold the garment in wearable shape, and, thirdly, with the dartfolded downwardly as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5 it serves as anauxiliary gutter serving to direct the water from the crown piece 26away from the wearers face. Additional clips 31 may be applied along thefront 27 if desired to insure the permanency of the proper shape for thegarment after it is folded.

The extra folding in each of the fronts incident to the folding alongthe lines 29 produces a quadruple ply of material which gives sufficientstrength for all practical pur poses and furthermore the wearer bygrasping that portion thereof that projects within the outer ply isgiven a good grip upon the fronts for the purpose of donning thegarment, adjusting it to his head and shoulders, and holding it inprotective position while subjected to the storm. That is to say thewearers fingers in the practical operation of the garment throughout areat no time either exposed to the Weather or to the damp surface of thegarment. In some instances an auxiliary hand hold such as indicated at32 may be employed on either or both of the fronts. This hand hold 32may be in the nature of a heavy piece of cardboard or some otherequivalent material fastened as by eyelets 33, or their equivalent,directly upon the first fold at 20. In my experience I have found thatone of these hand holds 32 is ample and by it the wearer may not onlydraw that wing to which the hand hold is fastened into properposition,but furthermore he may hold said wing over upon the outer faceof the opposite wing and so hold the garment with sufficient securitywith but one hand, while the other hand will be free.

With a device made andfolded or assembled as indicated in Fig. 5 it isin position to be folded for convenient shipping or transportation. Thisfolding may be effected 1n various ways, but for the most convenient andespecially for the best draping, water shedding, and appearance whenworn, the folding is preferably done as follows: With the garment laidout as shown 1n Fig. 5 one half thereof is lifted and folded directlyupon the other half around the median line 24. It is then foldedsuccessively in narrow vertical panels beginning along the verticalcenter adjacent to the line 24. These panels may in an ordinary instancefor example be from three and one half to four and onehalf inches inwidth. This folding along vertical parallel lines in succession producesa fiat roll of approximately four or four and one half inches in width,and of alength equal to the vertical heightof the garment in the formshown in Fig. 5. After this rolling folding action is completed theentire garment may 'be folded transversely at about its middle forming acomplete flat parcel of a length of about eleven or twelve inches, henceof a size easy .to carry in ones pocket or shopping bag either withorwithout a special cover or envelop therefor, not shown. In all forms ofmy invention I prefer to provide reinforcement strips of tape, strongpaper or the like, along the inner face of the sheet at severalvarious'pl'aces. For example, in Fig. '3 I show a V-shaped reinforcefaceof the garment parallel to the ends'18, and 19 and not far remotetherefrom along the wing portions 28.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8 I show another adaptation of the device, namely foruse as a cape as distinguished from a head covering. This form of thedevice approximates very closely, in a general way, that previouslydescribed, but instead of the crown piece being provided that portion ofthe sheet of material that in the other form of the invention is usedfor the crown piece is in this instance split along the vertical medianline and each collar portion thus formed as indicated at 36 is foldedoutwardly along a diagonal line 37 parallel and close to a portion ofthe reinforcement strip 34. Thus a V- shaped neck opening 38 is providedand with the folding of the entire. garment preferably in the manneralready described so as to secure the narrow vertical panels and the dia reliable protection for his shoulders, chest,v

and arms. The collar portions 36 being folded outwardly with the cleanor uncolored surface of the material exposed for direct contact with thewearers face and neck it is assured that there shall be no soilingincident to the waterproofed outer surface of the fabric. In thisconnection-I will state also that the flanges 20' are provided for thefronts of the garment similar to those already described and also thehand hold 32 is relied upon.

In Figs. 10 to 13 I show a further adaptation of the device adapting itfor use as an umbrella for protection against either wet weather or heatof the sun. The sheet in this form which may preferably be of a. heavierstock than for shoulder wear is still of approximately the same generaldesign and size as in the other two forms, but for best service may betprovided with the gutter strip 20, and rein orcement strips 34 and 35.In some cases I prefer to put the device on the market in the flat formof Fig. 12, leaving it o tional with the customer whether he w1ll adaptit for the shoulder cape use as shown in Fig. 6, or for the umbrellaeffect as shown in Fig. 10. If for the former he will split it down atthe medial line at 24', or for the umbrella effect the sheet will befolded first in half along the vertical line 24 and then the cornerportions39 will be rolled or folded successively around the diagonallines 40, the roll coming on the inside as indicated at 41 in Fig. 13.The two branches of the reinforcement 34 are thus brought in closeparallelism producing a stiff rib at 34' down along the central frontpart of the device. This forms the shield into a conical or pyramidalform with its apex or point at 42. With fairly stifl' stock employed forthis structure the folding and rolling in the manner just indicatedproduces an exceedingly stiff structure which may be reliablymanipulated by the operators hands applied to the reinforcement strips35 for convenience, or to any handles that may be attached thereto. Asin the other forms of the invention the diagonal wing lines 23 may beemployed for the purpose of facilitating the most desirable foldingcreases or panels.

Reverting again to the neck opening 38 shown best in Fig. 8 I wish it tobe understood that any other form of this opening than that, particularformshown may be employed and still come within the scope of thisinvention, so long as the neckopening is' suitably reinforced andotherwise arranged for practical service.

Iclaim:

' 1. The herein described water oof storm shield of relatively cheapsheet material,

the same comprising an oblong sheet or strip folded along a centralmedian line in two equal parts. each one-half being diagonally foldedforming front wing portions, a V-shaped reinforcement member having itsapex at the median line and with its branches extending across saiddiagonal lines, and hand hold means formed on the inner surface of thedevice.

2. In a storm shield of the character set forth, the combination of anoblong sheet of paper having a clean inner surface and a waterproofedouter surface, the front edge portion of the strip being foldedoutwardly forming a gutter to shed the water from the front edge andserving also as a protector of the person from the waterproofed surface.and a- V-shaped reinforcement strip applied to the inner surface of thesheetwith the apex thereof in the median line of the sheet and with thebranches thereof projecting diagonally toward said front edge flangestructure.

3. In a waterproof paper storm shield, 21 substantially rectangularsheet of paper waterproofed b any suitable means and folded as follows:First outwardly along one edge forming a gutter to prevent the rainwater from flowing over the fronts thereof, then inwardly around a lineparallel to the first folding line, then folded inwardly around diagonallines forming two front or side wings then portions of the fronts beingfolded outwardly nearly parallel to the first mentioned fold, the lastmentioned folding lines, however, stopping short, in length of the firsttwo folding lines whereby a crown piece is produced, the fullness ateach wing portion incident to the last mentioned fold being then foldedinto adart closely ad acent to the crown piece and serving as a means toshed the water flowing from the crown piece away from the wearens faceand hand hold means applied to the inner surfaceof the shield.

The herein described storm cape including a protector for the shouldersand arms, said cape being formed from a strip or panel of relativelycheap material, each of the two upper corner portions bleing foldedovera diagonal line extending toward the central portion of the top edgeof the panel forming wings, then one portion of the device being foldedover the other remaining portion along a vertical median line bringingone wing portion directly upon the other wing portion and then folded toform vertical panels parallel to said median line, producing in thefinished device creases in the back portion of the garment parallel tothe median line, and creases in the wing portions parallel to oneanother but oblique to the first mentioned diagonal folding lines.

JOSEPH A. GAVIN.

